Bokajan/Titabar (Assam): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday termed Himanta Biswa Sarma as the “most corrupt CM” in the country and alleged that he, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was running a “land ATM” in the state.
Addressing back-to-back election rallies in Karbi Anglong and Jorhat districts, Gandhi alleged that land was being taken from people and handed over to big corporates.
Referring to singer Zubeen Garg, Gandhi said he represented the spirit of Assam and assured justice in connection with his death.
The Congress leader also released the party’s manifesto for the Assam Assembly elections, with a focus on 11 sectors such as governance, identity and healthcare.
“India’s most corrupt CM is Himanta Biswa Sarma, and his family is also No. 1 in corruption. The Congress government will take action against him. Though he is boasting now, he will be completely silent after that,” Gandhi said.
He alleged that the Assam CM is running the state through syndicates and is fully controlled by Modi due to his corruption charges.
“Even if the CM seeks forgiveness, the law will take its own course, and action will be taken. That’s why he is scared, and he knows that he will be made accountable one day. Nobody in the world can save him from legal actions,” Gandhi stressed.
He further said that not only Sarma, but his family’s corruption charges will also be investigated, and actions will be initiated accordingly.
“I don’t speak nonsense. I do what I say,” Gandhi emphasised.
He also said that Sarma is spreading hatred, violence and misbehaviour, which is not Assam’s style.
The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that three big corporate houses have been handed over a total of 98,400 bighas of land in the state.
“Modi, Shah and Sarma have made a land ATM in Assam. They snatch land from the people and give it to big industrialists,” he asserted.
Talking about celebrated musician Garg, who died in Singapore by drowning in September last year, Gandhi said the singer stood for the state and its people.
“He did not stand for one person, one community, one language or one history. He reflected the spirit of the multi-cultural, multi-religious tradition of Assam. Once we come to power, we will deliver justice within 100 days, and it is 100 per cent sure,” he added.
Gandhi also asserted that Congress believes in decentralisation and that power should be given to the local people, while the BJP is trying to run Assam from Delhi.
“That is the difference between the BJP and the Congress. People of different ideologies, identities, religions and castes live in Assam, which is like a bouquet of different flowers. We want people to live like this.
“We promise to implement Article 244(A) of the Constitution fully. Karbi Anglong and all Sixth Schedule areas will be governed by the local people, not by Guwahati or Delhi,” he added.
Gandhi asserted that all the rights and identity of the tribal population will be fully protected under the Congress government.
He also attacked the BJP government for failing to fulfil the promise of raising the daily wages of tea garden workers to Rs 350.
“This was their promise in the last election. They have again a false promise that the daily wages will be hiked to Rs 500 this time,” Gandhi said.
He also pointed out that six communities, which have been demanding ST status for several years, have not been grangted the same despite the ruling BJP promising to do so.
On the India-US trade deal, the Congress MP claimed it is a loss for New Delhi as taxes for American goods were lowered, and the Indian market has been opened by them.
“(US President) Donald Trump controls Modi due to the Epstein files. There are 3.5 million unreleased files. Trump knows that Modi’s image will be finished if these are released. Trump also knows all the records of Adani, and he even filed criminal cases against Adani in the US,” he added.
Because of the trade deal, the agriculture sector has been opened to US corporates and America is in a dictating position regarding India’s purchase of crude oil, Gandhi stressed.
“Modi has also handed over all data to Trump. The deal says India will have to purchase Rs 9 lakh-crore worth of goods from the US. This will devastate small industrialists and traders in India,” he added.
Listing the party’s “five guarantees”, Gandhi said these include an unconditional monthly money transfer to every woman’s bank account, along with an additional Rs 50,000 assistance to women willing to set up or expand a business.
The Congress, which is looking to wrest power from the BJP in the state, pledged Rs 25 lakh cashless health insurance for all families and permanent land pattas for 10 lakh indigenous people.
He also promised land pattas for 10 lakh indigenous people and a dedicated department for senior citizens.
Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.
